Wrench



7 May 24,1932. CARPENTER 1,860,012

WRENCH Filgd Feb. 14. 1951 IN V EN TOR. LEfiL/E ZOMPEIYTE/E A TTORNE YS.

Patented May 24, 1932 WRENCH Application filed' February 14, 193 1. Serial m.515,84;4..=f

My invention relates generally to wrenches and more particularly to wrenches of the character adapted for the gripping'and turning of articles presenting relatively smooth and curved surfaces such as pipes for eX- ample. I

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a wrench of the above described character, which is of simple and rugged construction,

and embodies a flexible linked member preferably in the form of a chain capable of being readily applied to an article in embracing relation thereto and correlated with extremely simple means by which the chain is caused to positively and uniformly grip an article for turning by the wrench with ease and dispatch.

I will describe only oneform of wrench embodying my invention, and will then point.

29 out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view showing in front ele vation, partly broken away, one form of Wrench embodying my invention.

'25 Figure 2 is a view ofthe wrench in Side.

elevation, and I Figure 3 is a vertical sectional viewtaken on the line 3-,3 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate similar parts in each of the several views, my invention in its present embodiment comprises a handle H in the form of a rectangular bar 10 of suitable length to obtain the necessary leverage, having at one end thereof plates 11 and 12 which are secured on oppo-" site sides of the bar by rivets 13 extending. through registering openings in the bar and plates. That end ofthe'bar to which the plates are secured co-acts with the plates to form a head K having a series of teeth there.- on with which links of a chain 0 constituting H a flexible'gripping member, are adapted to intermesh. I

One endof the chain 0 is pivotally connected at 15 to a pair of links 16 and 17 piV- otally connected to the handle H by. a pin 18 5 extending through registering openings in the pair of links, plates 11 and 12 and the teeth offset laterally from each otherto interure 1.

' for gripping rockedabout the axis of the pin 18 in the bar 10 as shown'in Figure In the present the pin 18and equally spaced circumferentially. The plates 11 and 12 are each pr0- vided with two radially arranged teeth 20 disposed in alinement with each other and staggered circumferentially' with respect to the teeth 19 for coraction therewith in provid mg a segmentalgearhavinga pitch equal to I that of the links of the chain, withalternate.

l shlwi h the chain links as shown in Fig- To a enaaataak or tagcharija the free end of the latter,ispivotallyconnected a, relatively long link '21- which constitutes a pilot linkand "facilitates insertion of the 1bchain through-the opening between the pair of links16 and-17 after the chain hasbe'en placed aroundfanarticle to be gripped.- The links of the chain'C; are provided along onelongitudinal edge with transverse teeth 22. for the purpose-of insuring afirmer grip of theich'ain upon anarticle, whereas the oppo-v 1 site side edges of the chain links are smooth an article without ,marring the latter., 7, 580' In the useof the wrenchthe chain is first] extendedaround the article to be grippedand turned, and the free end of the chainisin 'serted through the opening betweenrthe links 16 and 17; The .ch'ain;-is then drawn-taut about'the article'and'the chain links are intermeshed with the teeth 19 and QOZas shown in Figure l after which :the handle H is direction of the arrow. This operation causes the teeth to co -act with the chain links in tightening'the chain about the article so as to firmlyand uniformly trip the latter. It will be clear that continuedrforce exerted upon the handle in the direction of the arrow Y j will tend to further tighten rthe chain'and .turn the article. Either the smooth or toothed sides of the'chain, links can be pre- 7 sentedto thearticle by reversing the position Y Y to the article.-

of the chain and links 16 and 17 with respect A ratchet feeding effect of the chain upon the article can be obtained for use in restricted location by simply holding the free end of the chain taut and rocking the handle back and forth so that in one direction the chain Will loosen its grip upon the article and slip freely around the latter. It will be manifest that the construction of the Wrench permits its use in restricted spaces as only sufficient clearance need exist between an obstruction and the article to be gripped, for the passage of thechain.

Although I have herein shown. and described only one form of wrench embodying m invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein-Without departing from the sp rit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

'Iclaim: 1. A Wrench comprising a handle,'a flexible chain having central links and side linkspiv otally connecting adjacent central links on opposite, sides thereof, means for pivotally connecting one end of the chain to the handle to permit looping of the chain about an article to be gripped, andfa series of circumferentially spaced; alternating central and side teeth on the handle radially disposed and concentrically arranged with respectto a said pivotal connection, thesideteeth being nection. p I c 2. A wrench comprising a handle bar, a pair 7 arranged in pairs, aligned transversely of the series'and offset laterally relative'to the'central teeth for intermeshing With boththe central and side chain links ,to effect; uniform tightening of the chain around the article in response to rocking of the handle in one direction about the axis of said pivotal conof plates secured to the bar, atone end thereof and on opposite sides of the bar, a length of fiexiblechain having central links and side links pivotally connecting adjacent central links on opposite sides thereof, a pair'of links connected to one end-of the chain, a pin extending through the bar, plates, and linksto pivotally connect the latter and provide space between the links for the insertion of the freeiend' of the chain, a plurality of teethon connecting adjacentcentral links on opposite sides thereof, the chain being connected to the handle and adapted to form a loopv about an article to be gripped, the handle having a series of circumferentially spaced and alter nating central andside teeth, the latter being j arranged in pairs aligned transversely of the j series and offset laterally relative to the cen tral teeth'for co-action therewith in intermeshing With the central and'side chain links, to tighten the chain about the article in responseto movement of the handle in one direction.

I LESLIE T. CARPENTER.

said end of the bar, concentrically arranged V l:

with respect to the-axis of said pin, and other and alined teeth on said plates concentric With respect to the axis. of the pinan'd'stag gered circumferentially relative tothe'first 1' V teeth for co-action therewith in intermeshing 'fi') With both the central and side chain links to effect a uniform tightening of the chain around an article in response to rocking of the handle bar in one direction of said'pin. a V

3. A Wrench comprising a handle, a'chain having central links and side links pivotally about the axis 7 p 

